Our Adventures

Tips for handling Halloween and food allergies

Posted: 21 Oct 2013

The dark nights are drawing in, the pumpkins are being carved
and soon little ghouls will be at your door demanding tricks or
treats. Halloween is an exciting time for kids, but if your child
has a food allergy, October 31st, with its unregulated food, can
fill you with terror.

So I've put together some tips to help you keep your child safe
during Halloween. Hopefully they'll give you peace of mind while
your child enjoys becoming a little devil!

1. Manage your child's expectations. Explain
that Halloween is about getting sweets and chocolate from the
neighbours, but that you'll need to check that the food is safe.
Also let your child know that they'll be able to 'trade' unsafe
treats for safe ones. Then help them start planning their costume
and the tricks they'll play; the less focus on food the better!
(Remember if using face paints, check the labels for allergens, nut
oils can often be used).

2. If you have other children, agree a Halloween
plan. If your child has non-allergic siblings, ask your
other children to agree not to eat their sweets until the end of
the evening. Then when they all come home laden with goodies, your
child with allergies can trade the unsafe treats for safe ones and
then all your children can tuck in at the same time. This helps
your child with allergies feel included, rather than being 'the odd
one out'.

3. Leave safe food with the neighbours. If you
know your neighbours well enough, consider dropping off safe treats
before the trick or treating begins. Your child will be thrilled to
see familiar packaging and food that they know is safe! But to
maintain consistency, still insist that your child brings the food
home before they eat it.

4. Plan a spooky night in. If trick or
treating is too problematic, you could create your own Halloween
traditions. Maybe throw a Halloween party, host a pumpkin carving
competition, watch spooky films or try ghost hunting at home. Your
child may love it so much that they'll never want to trick or treat
again!

5. Be prepared. If your child is trick or
treating without you, don't let them leave the house without their
auto-injector pen. Have a simple checklist that you both go through
before you leave. If they are going out with another adult, meet
them beforehand and explain what to do in the event of an allergic
reaction, and make sure they have all your contact numbers.

6. Be realistic. However hard you try to make
Halloween fun for your child, it may be one of those times when
they are very aware of their allergies and wish they didn't have
them. There may well be tears before bedtime, so be ready with a
special Halloween hug. It won't make it all better, but it's
probably more effective than you think.

Disclaimer
Please note the content on this website should never be used to replace the professional advice, medical care, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. Therefore Allergy Adventures is not responsible for any consequences that may arise from using the information on this site.